The proposed bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to require proof of lawful presence in the United States for individuals applying for a driver's license or identification card. It introduces new legal language emphasizing the legislature's intent to enhance public safety and comply with federal law. Specifically, it mandates that applicants under 18 years of age must provide proof of legal presence, and establishes that no driver's license will be issued to individuals who cannot demonstrate lawful presence in the U.S. This requirement is integrated into the eligibility criteria and application process for both driver's licenses and identification cards. Additionally, the bill modifies the application format to ensure all applications include proof of lawful presence and clarifies that noncompliant licenses must be marked accordingly.

The bill also addresses the handling of personal information related to noncompliant licenses, allowing the commissioner to refuse data disclosure if there is a risk of misuse. It sets new requirements for the secretary of state regarding the retention and sharing of personal information, limiting data retention to 60 days and restricting sharing to election administration purposes. Furthermore, it classifies immigration status data as private, with limited exceptions for sharing. A significant change allows the commissioner or a driver's license agent to share non-immigration status data with government entities that do not enforce immigration law, provided it is not used for civil immigration enforcement. The bill includes an effective date of October 1, 2025, for the new application and issuance processes.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 171.04, 171.06, 171.07, 171.12, 171.1205